Copying apparatus

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for copying an original including an optical exposure device reciprocating in a passage between the original and a sheet of copy paper. The exposure device moves in the same direction as the copy paper being supplied and starts from a fixed standard line to move to a stop line that varies with the length of the original to thereby determine and cut the length of the copy paper to be the same length as the original. The exposure device then returns to its starting position while scanning an image on the original.

United States Patent Kakiiet al.

[54] COPYING APPARATUS [72] Inventors: Shunichiro Kakii; Akira Saito,both of Tokyo, Japan [73] Assignee: lwatsu Electric Company Limited,Tokyo,

Japan [22] Filed: Mar. 4, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 16,391

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 10, 1969 Japan ..44/18173[52] US. Cl ..355/66, 355/8, 355/13,

7 355/29 [51] Int. Cl. ..G03b 27/70 [58] Field ofSearch ..355/66, 29, 8,13

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,533,691 10/1970SuzukietalJ ..355/13 [151 3,656,851 [451 'Apr. 18,1972

Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews 9 Assistant Examiner-E. M. BeroAttorney-Milton J. Wayne 57] ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for copyingan original including an optical exposure device reciprocating in apassage between the original and a sheet of copy paper. The exposuredevice moves in the same direction as the copy paper being supplied andstarts from a fixed standard line to move to a stop line that varieswith the length of the original to thereby determine and cut the lengthof the copy paper to be the same length as the original. The exposuredevice then returns to its starting position while scanning an image onthe original.

10 Claim 9 Pr m ng Figures PATENTEDAPP. 18 I972 sum 10F 4 INVENTOR BY QA.,

ATTORNEY mzmzmm 18 m2 3,656,851 SHEET 2 BF 4- BY M ATTORNEY PATENTEUAPR18 I972 SHEET 30F 4 TIME llllll.

IKIVENTIOR BY g Dr V ATTORNEY PATENTEDAPR 18 I972 LENGTH OF ORIGINALSHEET '4 OF 4 INVENTOR MQ'M ATTORNEY COPYING APPARATUS The presentinvention relates to an optical copying method and apparatus wherein anoptical scanning exposure is operated in cooperation with feedingandcutting operations of a photosensitive sheet material.

Such a copying device, as being capable of copying the light and shadedparts of the original surface applying a lens system, is utilized notonly for copying one side of printed matter but for both sides ofprinting, books, clothes, several kinds of patterns etc., and itsutility value is excellent. There are various kinds of copyingapparatus, but in order to provide compact devices, a scanning exposuremethod, wherein an image of an original is gradually focused into animage on the photosensitive sheet with the scanning operation, ispreferably utilized. In relation to the above-mentioned scanningexposure methods, the following three processes are generally wellknown;I

1. A lens system of an optical image scanning apparatus is stationaryand the table for the originals and photosensitive sheet is movable(hereinafter referred to as the first process);

2. The table for the originals and the photosensitive sheet isstationary, but the lens system is movable (hereinafter referred to asthe second process); and

3. The table for the original is stationary, but lens system and thephotosensitive sheet are movable (hereinafter referred to as the thirdprocess).

Among the above-described three processes, the second process is thesimplest and most reliable method from stand points of synchronizingoperations, mechanisms and operative characteristics.

However, according to the conventionally applied second process, thetime required for transfer of the lens system is constant regardless ofthe size or length of the originals. In

other words, the time required for scanning and exposing the originalsis independent of the size or length of originals. Therefore, in thecase of copying an original having a small size or short length,considerable waste time is inevitable.

A main object of the present invention is to provide a method of andapparatus for copying wherein the time required for the copying processis simply adjustable in accordance with the length or size of theoriginals.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact-typecopying apparatus having a high copying capacity.

In the copying process in accordance with the present invention, aphotosensitive sheetmaterial is delivered from a supply source and cutconcurrently in accordance with a definite length of an original by acutting device. At this time, a transfer distance of an optical scanningexposure device is confined only to a length defined by the length ofthe original. The copying apparatus in accordance with the presentinvention is further characterized in that the standard line of theoriginal to be copied is set towardsthe cutter device and thephotosensitive sheet is cut in the same length with that of the originalby synchronizing the feeding operation of the photosensitive sheet andthe driving operation of the scanning exposure device and further, acontrast image of the original is focused into the image on the cutphotosensitive sheet as it arrives at the corresponding position of theoriginal by scanning the original with the scanning exposure device.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the ensuing description with reference to the accompanyingdrawings to which the scope of the invention is no way limited.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view with part of the apparatus removed showingthe copying apparatus in accordance with the present invention,

FIGS. 2 and 3 are explanatory diagrams showing the scanning exposuremechanisms of the copying apparatus shown in FIG. 1, in which the imageof the original is focused into the image on the photosensitive sheetmaterials,

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing another embodiment fordetermining the exposure position of the photosensitive sheet materialin accordance with the copying apparatus shown in FIG. 1,

porting glass 18 from a lamp 20. Therefore,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view with part of the apparatus removed showingthe conventional copying apparatus which is shown for comparing theperformance with that of the present invention,

FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are explanatory drawings showing copying speeds ofthe copying apparatuses shown in FIG. I and FIG. 5, respectively, forcomparing the copying speeds with each other.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, an example of the copying apparatus inaccordance with the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. In thiscopying apparatus, as already described above, the table for theoriginal and the photosensitive sheet are stationarily positioned butthe lens system only is movable. The construction of such a scanningexposuring system is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3; that is, the contrastimage of an original I is focused into an image on a photosensitivesheet 7, with is situated parallel to a supporting glass 18 forsupporting the original 1, applying three reflector mirrors and a singlelens 19 so that they illuminate the original through the supa scanningexposure device 8 can be displaced in the range of the original sheetlength at aspeed which is determined in accordance with thesensitiveness of the photosensitive sheet 9 and the brightness of thelamp 20 etc.

Many attempts have been tried for cutting the photosensitive sheet tothe same length as that of an original. For example, one of theconventional methods for cutting the photosensitive sheet in accordancewith a length of an original is that the length of the original isfirstly detected by a suitable means and secondly the sheet is cutduring supplying of a continuous photosensitive sheet material at aconstant speed at an intervened time corresponding to the length of theoriginal. In the above-mentioned cutting method, a signal for actuatingthe cutting means is generated by a mechanical or electrical means at acertain time interval corresponding to the length of the original, or byadjusting a position of a limit switch for actuating the cutting meansby utilizing a mechanical means related to the means for detecting alength of the original or by pushing the limit switch in accordance witha motion of the sheet supplying means.

In the copying apparatus of the present invention, the cutting operationof the photosensitive sheet is carried out by utilizing a transfermotion of the scanning exposure device. In other words, the scanningexposure device commences its advance motion from a fixed starting pointfacing an end of an original positioned upon the transparent plate andis transferred at an equivalent transfer speed with that of thephotosensitive sheet which is delivered from a delivery roller. Andthen, if the scanning exposure device contacts a limit switch which ispositioned at a preferable position defined by another end of theoriginal; that is, the size of the original, the displacement of thescanning exposure device is stopped at that position so as toconcurrently cut the photosensitive sheet material in the same length asthat of the original by the cutting means. Immediately thereafter, thephotosensitive sheet material, which is cut in the same length as thatof the original, is fed to the prescribed exposure position facing theoriginal and stopped. And then, the scanning exposure device is returnedto its fixed starting position while focusing an image of the originalinto an image on the photosensitive sheet.

Usually, the sizes of the originals are not limited to a maximum sizewhich is specified by the copying apparatus, therefore, since the timerequired for the scanning operation and displacing the cut piece ofphotosensitive sheet to the exposure position depends upon the size ofthe originals in the present method, the copying efficiency will beremarkably improved by applying the present invention.

Next, the copying process in accordance with the present invention willbe explained in detail referring to the electrophoto copying apparatusshown in FIG. I. In the present invention, a standard line 2 of anoriginal 1 is positioned on the side of a cutting means. Limit-switches4 and 5 are mounted on the knob 30f a scaler. The position of the knob 3of the scaler is set at a position corresponding to the standard line ofthe original 1. As an operation switch 16 is switched on, a pair of feedrollers rotates, and a photosensitive sheet 7 is delivered from a sheetroll 6. At the same time, a scanning exposure device 8 commences itsadvance motion from a fixed starting position corresponding to thestandard line 2 and is displaced at the equal speed as that of thephotosensitive sheet 7 in the same direction. (The direction of theabove-mentioned displacement of the scanning exposure device 8 ishereinafter referred to as a forward direction.) As the scanningexposure device 8 contacts limit switch 4, the scanning exposure device8 is stopped at that position, then, the photosensitive sheet 7 is cutby cutting device 17 to an equal length as that of the original 1. In acase of electrophotography, the cut photosensitive sheet 9 is displacedonto an endless feed belt 11 by way of an electrocharger 10 and stoppedas it contacts limit-switch 5. At that time, the sheet is positioneddirectly below the original 1 in a superposed condition. Simultaneously,the illuminating lamp 12 of the scanning exposure device 8 is lighted.Then, the scanning operation of the original 1 is carried out so that animage of the original 1 is focused into an image on the cutphotosensitive sheet 9 and simultaneously, the scanning exposure device8 is returned to its original position. As the scanning exposure device8 is returned to a position corresponding to the standard line 2 andcontacts the fixed starting point or the limitswitch 13, the nextphotosensitive sheet is supplied and the scanning exposure device isdisplaced forward, simultaneously. The above-described operation isrepeated continuously during the copying process.

The exposed photosensitive sheet 9 is carried to a developing means14.by the endless feed belt 11 and then discharge outside of theapparatus.

In FIG. 1, the photosensitive sheet 9 is stopped as the limitswitch 5 iscontacted with a tip of the photosensitive sheet 9. However, as shown inFIG. 4, if a limit-switch 29 is fixed at a position which corresponds toa standard line 30 of an original, then a photosensitive sheet 32 isstopped when the photosensitive sheet 32 on an endless belt 31 actuatesan actuating lever 33 of the limit-switch 29, and the construction ofthe device becomes more simplified. The above-mentioned mechanism isachieved by using a simple relay mechanism.

Referring to FIG. 6, the copying efficiency of the copying apparatusaccording to the present invention is calculated as follows; that is,the copying cycletime Tis represented as T=(Lo+L)/Vp+L/Vs where,

Lo: distance from a standard line 2 of an original to a position of acutting device 17,

L: optional length of the original,

Vp: speed of the endless feed belt 11,

Vs: scanning speed of the scanning exposure device 8.

Thus, the number M of the sheets which can be copied in a minute isrepresented by the following equation;

As shown in FIG. 7, the distance In is constant, however, the copyingcycle time is variable with the optional length L of the original.

Next, for the sake of comparison of the copying efficiency, the copyingspeed of the electro-photo copying apparatus which is already onthemarket will be estimated with respect to that of the copying apparatusin accordance with the present invention. For the convenience ofexplanation, the functions of the conventional electro-photo copyingapparatus will be firstly explained referring to FIGS. 5, 8 and 9. Thatis in FIG. 5, an end of an original 36 is positioned at a standard linewhile a knob of a sealer 37 is positioned at another end of the original36, and a large gear 41 is rotated by way of a pul- A limit-switch 42 ismounted on the large gear 41 so as to orbit about a circumference of acam 43 which is rotated at a constant speed. When an operation switch 44is switched on, the cam 43 begins to rotate at a constant speed and thena pair of feed rollers 45 are rotated by way of a driving mechanismconnected to the cam 43. A photosensitive sheet 53 issupplied from asheet roll 46. When the cam 43 contacts the limit switch 42 the rotationof the feed rollers 45 is stopped at that position, and at the sametime, the photosensitive sheet 53 is cut by a cutting device 47 so thatthe cut sheet 48 has the same length as the original 36. In a case ofelectrophotography, the cut photosensitive sheet 48 is displaced forwardby an endless feed belt 50 and passed through an electrocharger 49. Whenthe photosensitive sheet 53 arrives just at the underside of theoriginal 36, the endless feed belt 50 is stopped when another cam 51rigidly mounted on the cam 43 pushes a limit switch 52. At the sametime, a scanning exposure device 54 is displaced towards the cuttingdevice 47 while focusing an image of the original 36 onto thephotosensitive sheet 53. At the end of scanning, a limit switch 55secured to the sealer 37 is pushed by the scanning exposure device 54and then the scanning exposure device 54 is returned to its originalposition. Subsequently, the next photosensitive sheet is supplied fromthe sheet roll 46. The exposed photosensitive sheet 53 is displacedforward by means of the endless feed belt 50 and discharged to theoutside of the apparatus after being treated by a developing device 56.

In the above-mentioned case, the cutting cycle time T is calculated bythe following equation as already mentioned above. (referring to FIG. 8)

Lm: the maximum length of an original to becopied, L0:

distance from the standard line 35 to the cutting device 47,

Vp: speed of the feed belt 50,

Vs: scanning speed of the original 36 by the scanning exposure device54,

L: length of original 36 which is to be copied,

. T: cutting cycle time.

Thus, the number M of sheets which can be copied in a minute iscalculated by the following equation (2) l I 51 L M-/T -60/( As shown inFIG. 9, Lo and Lrn are constant, but the time T' is variable with L.

The difference between both equations (1) and (2) is the second term ofthe denominator, that is, in the latter equation, Lm/ Vp. is constant,however, in the former it becomes smaller as L decreases. Therefore, inthe former method that is, the present method the number of copiedsheets per unit time increases as L becomes smaller. In order to clarifythe abovementioned features of the present invention, the copying speedof the above-mentioned two methods is compared in three cases of theoriginal lengths; L 37 cm, 27 cm and 14 cm. From the above calculation,the increment of copying ef- (1) 60 ficiency with the decrease of thesize of the originals is obvious as shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Copying number of sheet per minute Apparatus of the presentinvention shown in Fig. I l0.2

Further, in the copying apparatus of the present invention it ispossible to regulate the copying operations with such a simley 38 whichis connected to the knob 37 and gears 39 and 40. ple mechanism as alimit-switch without utilizing complicated cam mechanisms as shown inFIG. 5. And substantially excellent copying efficiency is attained byapplying the present invention in accordance with decreasing of theoriginal size.

What we claimed is:

l. A method for copying an original placed in a stationary position in acopying apparatus having an exposure device for scanning photosensitivesheet material fed through the apparatus in a forward direction,comprising a. positioning said original so that a rearward edge thereofis at a fixed starting line on said apparatus;

b. positioning said scanning exposure device in alignment with saidfixed starting line in a passage spacing between said original and saidsheet material;

c. feeding the photosensitive sheet material along a passage parallel tosaid original and spaced therefrom;

d. displacing said exposure device to move in a forward direction in thepassage spacing synchronously with the feed movement of said sheetmaterial in the same direction;

d. stopping said exposure device and sheet material feed when saidexposure device reaches alignment with a stop line on said apparatuscorresponding to the positioning of a forward edge of said original;

f. cutting said sheet material in its stopped position so that a sheetcut thereby has the same length as said original;

g. further feeding said cut sheet forwardly to an exposure positionfacing said original and in alignment therewith;

h. stopping said cut sheet at said exposure position; and

i. displacing said exposure device in a rearward direction to scan saidoriginal and thereby return to said alignment with said fixed startingline whereby an image of said original is focused into an image uponsaid cut sheet.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the synchronous displacement ofsaid exposure device and the forward feed movement of said sheetmaterial is at the same speed.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the stop line is variablylocated corresponding to the length of said original.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the stop line is determined byplacement of actuating means in alignment with the forward edge of saidoriginal, and the synchronous displacement of said exposure device isstopped by said exposure device contacting said actuating means.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the movement of said cut sheetis stopped at said exposure position by said cut sheet contacting firstcontrol means placed in alignment with the forward edge of saidoriginal.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the movement of said cut sheetis stopped at said exposure position by said cut sheet actuating secondcontrol means placed in alignment with the rearward edge of saidoriginal.

7. Apparatus for copying an original placed in a stationary positionthereon having an exposure device for scanning photosensitive sheetmaterial fed through the apparatus in a forward direction, comprising a.a transparent glass plate on which said original is placed, said platehaving a fixed starting line on which a rearward edge of said originalis aligned;

b. a passage spaced from said parallel thereto;

0. means for feeding the photosensitive sheet material said passageparallel to said original and therefrom;

d. said scanning exposure device positionable in alignment with saidfixed starting line in said passage between said original and saidphotosensitive sheet material;

e. cutting means located rearwardly of saidfixed starting line and inline with said passage;

f. said plate having a stop line on which a forward edge of saidoriginal is aligned;

g. said scanning exposure device displaceable in a forward directionfrom said alignment withsaid fixed starting simultaneously with forwardmovement of said photosensitive sheet material, said exposure devicemovable to a stopping position In ignment with said plate stop line;

h. actuating means for said cutting means mounted on said apparatus inalignment with said plate stop line; said actuating means operable bysaid scanning exposure device reaching said plate stop line therebyactuating said cutting means to cut a' sheet from said photosensitivesheet material to have the same length as said original;

i. means moving said cut sheet through said passage to stop an exposureposition parallel to said original and in alignment therewith; and

j. said scanning exposure device rearwardly movable from said alignmentwith said plate stop line to scan said original and thereby return tosaid alignment with said fixed starting line whereby an image of saidoriginal is focused upon said cut sheet.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said actuating means isadjustably mounted on said apparatus to be aligned with the forward edgeof a selected original from a group of originals varying in length.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein first control means is mountedon said apparatus in alignment with said plate stop line, said controlmeans being contacted by said forward edge of said out sheet to stopsaid cut sheet movement.

10. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein second control means ismounted on said apparatus in alignment with said fixed starting line,said second control means being actuated by said rearward edge of saidcut sheet to stop said out sheet movement.

glass plate and extending along spaced UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICECERTIFICATE ()F CORRECTION Patent NO.. I 3 656,851 Dated April 8, 972

hwenun(s) Shunichiro Kakii, et al.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 26, delete "a" and insert the fixed starting point or theColumn 3, line 27, delete the fixed starting point or the" and insert aColumn 4, line 33, delete "Loz";

Column 4, line 34, before "distance" insert Lo:

Column 4, line 51, after "in the former method insert Column 6, line 31,after "stop" insert at Signed and sealed this 29th day of August 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M,FLMTCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents FORM PO-1 (10-69) &c g/|a4'-Dc 60376-P69 U.S. GOVERNMENTPRINTING OFFICE: 1969 O366-334 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFlCATE0F CORRECTION Patent No. 43,656,851 Dated April 18, 1972 lnventofls)Shunichiro Kakii, et al.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 26, delete "a" and insert the fixed starting point or theColumn 3, line 27 delete "the fixed starting point or the" and insert aI Column 4, line 33,- delete "LOz" Column 4, line 34, before "distance"insert Lo:

Column 4, line 51, after "in the former method" insert Column 6, line31, after "stop" insert at Signed and sealed this 29th day of August1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD MELMTCHERJR. ROBERT GO-TTSGHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents FORM PO-1050 (10-69) UWp-245-Aoki USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 U.5.GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: I969 0*366-335

1. A method for copying an original placed in a stationary position in acopying apparatus having an exposure device for scanning photosensitivesheet material fed through the apparatus in a forward direction,comprising a. positioning said original so that a rearward edge thereofis at a fixed starting line on said apparatus; b. positioning saidscanning exposure device in alignment with said fixed starting line in apassage spacing between said original and said sheet material; c.feeding the photosensitive sheet material along a passage parallel tosaid original and spaced therefrom; d. displacing said exposure deviceto move in a forward direction in the passage spacing synchronously withthe feed movement of said sheet material in the same direction; e.stopping said exposure device and sheet material feed when said exposuredevice reaches alignment with a stop line on said apparatuscorresponding to the positioning of a forward edge of said original; f.cutting said sheet material in its stopped position so that a sheet cutthereby has the same length as said original; g. further feeding saidcut sheet forwardly to an exposure position facing said original and inalignment therewith; h. stopping said cut sheet at said exposureposition; and i. displacing said exposure device in a rearward directionto scan said original and thereby return to said alignment with saidfixed starting line whereby an image of said original is focused into animage upon said cut sheet.
 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein thesynchronous displacement of said exposure device and the forward feedmovement of said sheet material is at the same speed.
 3. A methodaccording to claim 1 wherein the stop line is variably locatedcorresponding to the length of said original.
 4. A method according toclaim 1 wherein the stop line is determined by placement of actuatingmeans in alignment with the forward edge of said original, and thesynchronous displacement of said exposure device is stopped by saidexposure device contacting said actuating means.
 5. A method accordingto claim 1 wherein the movement of said cut sheet is stopped at saidexposure position by said cut sheet contacting first control meansplaced in alignment with the forward edge of said original.
 6. A methodaccording to claim 1 wherein the movement of said cut sheet is stoppedat said exposure position by said cut sheet actuating second controlmeans placed in alignment with the rearward edge of said original. 7.Apparatus for copying an original placed in a stationary positionthereon having an exposure device for scanning photosensitive sheetmaterial fed through the apparatus in a forward direction, comprising a.a transparent glass plate on which said original is placed, said platehaving a fixed starting line on which a rearward edge of said originalis aligned; b. a passage spaced from sAid glass plate and extendingparallel thereto; c. means for feeding the photosensitive sheet materialalong said passage parallel to said original and spaced therefrom; d.said scanning exposure device positionable in alignment with said fixedstarting line in said passage between said original and saidphotosensitive sheet material; e. cutting means located rearwardly ofsaid fixed starting line and in line with said passage; f. said platehaving a stop line on which a forward edge of said original is aligned;g. said scanning exposure device displaceable in a forward directionfrom said alignment with said fixed starting simultaneously with forwardmovement of said photosensitive sheet material, said scanning exposuredevice movable to a stopping position in alignment with said plate stopline; h. actuating means for said cutting means mounted on saidapparatus in alignment with said plate stop line; said actuating meansoperable by said scanning exposure device reaching said plate stop linethereby actuating said cutting means to cut a sheet from saidphotosensitive sheet material to have the same length as said original;i. means moving said cut sheet through said passage to stop an exposureposition parallel to said original and in alignment therewith; and j.said scanning exposure device rearwardly movable from said alignmentwith said plate stop line to scan said original and thereby return tosaid alignment with said fixed starting line whereby an image of saidoriginal is focused upon said cut sheet.
 8. Apparatus according to claim7 wherein said actuating means is adjustably mounted on said apparatusto be aligned with the forward edge of a selected original from a groupof originals varying in length.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 7wherein first control means is mounted on said apparatus in alignmentwith said plate stop line, said control means being contacted by saidforward edge of said cut sheet to stop said cut sheet movement. 10.Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein second control means is mountedon said apparatus in alignment with said fixed starting line, saidsecond control means being actuated by said rearward edge of said cutsheet to stop said cut sheet movement.